Headache Treatment

Headaches affect about 47% of the global population, with 20% of these headaches coming from the cervical spine. If traditional headache medications, including OTC pain relievers or prescription medication (Imitrex), haven’t done the trick, let our certified manual therapists give you an evaluation and see if your neck or poor posture may be a contributing factor.

Headaches can result from a variety of causes. A headache isn’t always an indication of a serious condition and will typically go away on its own or with medication like pain relievers. However, it might be challenging to determine what kind of headache you’re experiencing (migraine pain, tension headaches, etc.) and why it’s happening. But if your neck is the source of the problem, there’s a good chance you have a cervicogenic headache, which is a common headache condition that may be treated by the professionals at USA Sports Therapy.

If you are suffering from headaches, contact us today to book an appointment and learn more about how we can help get you the professional support you need.

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What Is a Cervicogenic Headache Treatment?

Cervicogenic headaches can be caused by tight upper cervical musculature, poor posture, or stiff upper cervical joint segments that compress on the roots of the upper three cervical spinal nerves located at C1, C2, and C3 and the occipital nerve or vertebral artery.

Unlike migraine headaches and tension headaches, cervicogenic headaches are usually unilateral, starting from one side of the posterior head and neck, migrating to the front, and sometimes are associated with the same side arm discomfort.

The second type of headache can be bilateral head and neck pain, which specific neck positions can aggravate. The neck pain precedes or co-exists with the headache and is aggravated by specific neck movements or sustained postures.

Benefits of Headache Treatments

Various signs may indicate that you are suffering from cervicogenic headache symptoms. The most common is pain coming from sudden movements of the neck and pain when your neck remains in the same position for a long time. At USA Sports, we can help provide relief for some of the most common symptoms of cervicogenic headaches and migraines, including:

  • Pain or numbness on one side of your face or head
  • Steady dull pain that doesn’t throb
  • Acute pain when you sneeze, cough, or take a deep breath
  • Headache pain lasting for hours or days
  • Stiffness and tension in your neck
  • Limited neck movement
  • Continuous pain in one particular spot, like one side of your head or your eye

How Does It Work?

Physical therapy for headaches is different from taking medicine because it’s a specialized treatment that targets the cause, not just the symptoms.

We’ll conduct a thorough examination of your condition when you first walk in to help us get a clear picture of your condition. We will then create a specialized treatment plan that often consists of neck exercises that strengthen and stretch the area surrounding your cervical spine, as well other techniques and maneuvers. These stretches and maneuvers help decompress any compressed nerves in your neck, allowing less tension to travel up into your head

Is Physical Therapy for Headaches Right for You?

Not sure if you have cervicogenic or migraine headaches? Our team can help determine the root cause of your pain and provide you with the necessary treatments for complete relief. When it comes to cervicogenic headaches, physical therapy is often considered the first line of treatment. Manual therapy and specialized exercise routines effectively treat a cervicogenic headache and minimize the pain and discomfort that come with it.

Our Process

At USA Sports, we have the most advanced modalities for safe and effective treatments. We are staffed by expert medical professionals, including physical therapists who are highly trained in this specialized field. We can provide manual therapy services, as well as exercise programs and modalities to decrease the frequency of your headaches and improve your overall health.

Our medically reviewed therapy programs are carefully customized to meet your specific needs. We will assist you in developing and carrying out a personalized plan to address your pain. We can help you regain flexibility, strength, and proper posture with our programs that include special neck exercise routines to improve the endurance, strength, and function of your neck muscles.

Talk to Our Doctors

If you are interested in our headache treatment services or just want to learn more about how we can help, get in touch with us by filling out the form on this page or giving us a call.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t let your headaches get the best of you. Contact us today to get started on your road to recovery!

PHYSICAL THERAPY FAQS

What is physical therapy and what does it do?

Physical therapy consists of different treatments designed to enhance the soft tissues, build muscle strength, and reduce pain. Physical therapy is commonly recommended for neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, and injuries resulting from car accidents.

Does insurance cover physical therapy costs?

Insurance companies are not required to cover physical therapy. However, many plans do offer coverage for treatment at specific facilities like ours. If you're looking into our Miami physical therapy clinic and have insurance questions, feel free to ask an expert during your consultation appointment with us.

How many physical therapy sessions do I need?

The number of physical therapy sessions you need will depend on your injury and the severity of it. We will work with you to help determine a treatment plan that is right for you so that you can get back to optimal health as soon as possible.

What to expect after the therapy?

After you finish your physical therapy sessions, we will likely provide you with post-therapy recommendations such as exercises to do at home and in the gym. We know that sometimes it can be difficult for our patients to schedule a second appointment with us after completing their treatment plan, so we want to ensure you are well equipped with all of the necessary knowledge before going back to your normal routine.

Talk to a Specialist Today